Waterscape Relational Values: A Blue Index of San Marcos, Texas, USA

Keywords: river systems, perceptions, values
Session Type: Virtual Paper Abstract
Day: Sunday
Session Start / End Time: 2/27/2022 03:40 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) - 2/27/2022 05:00 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 53

Abstract

‘Blue spaces’ can have profound benefits on people’s well-being and mental health, helping people feel calmer and more connected to nature. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the ways we use and relate to urban blue spaces. The San Marcos River and its tributaries represent valuable blue spaces that provide economic, social, and environmental benefits to the surrounding community of San Marcos, Texas, USA. I designed a study to answer the following research questions: (1) How do people emotionally experience waterscapes in San Marcos at different site locations and how do these experiences relate to behavior?​ (2) How are relationships with place reflected in patterns of use?​ (3) How has the COVID-19 pandemic influenced experiences of waterscapes in San Marcos? Using 12 photo stations along the San Marcos River and Blanco River, I aimed to quantify and spatially represent the emotional benefits, valuations, and patterns of use of San Marcos waterscapes. I document how these things have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Results show that people tend to value waterscapes intrinsically or relationally, rather than for recreation and tourism opportunities. The COVID-19 pandemic has also impacted perceptions of waterscapes, as many perceive these places as refuges from stress and social isolation, and thus use them more frequently. This study establishes a framework of non-contact recreation reporting that amplifies the voices of the community and provides valuable citizen science data to city planners and resource managers.